American Identity and Culture

These flashcards cover key concepts and themes related to American identity and culture as discussed in the lecture.

What are the core ideas presented in Doris Lessing's "What We Think of America"?

America is seen as excessive and confident, yet naive; there's a gap between self-perception and outsider perception.

What drives American culture according to Laurence Shames in "The More Factor"?

The desire for 'more' in terms of money, land, and success, stemming from abundance and frontier expansion.

What does Ole Rolvaag's "Giants in the Earth" suggest about the immigrant experience?

It portrays the immigrant experience as harsh and isolating, often clashing with the ideals of the American Dream.

What does Frederick Jackson Turner argue about the American frontier?

The frontier shaped national identity, instilling traits like individualism and optimism, and its closure marked the end of a significant era.

What is the main critique of the World’s Columbian Exposition according to Chicago, 1893: A Contest of Voices?

While celebrating progress, it ignored or silenced marginalized voices that viewed this progress differently.

How does Chief Pokagon’s speech relate to American progress?

It critiques the notion of progress by highlighting the negative impact of expansion on Native Americans.

What themes does Robert B. Ray identify in American films?

Films often repeat themes like individualism and good vs. evil, reflecting and reinforcing American cultural beliefs.

How does Lyons suggest films should be watched?

Films should be viewed actively, focusing on techniques like camera angles and editing to understand underlying meanings.

What complication does Rolvaag introduce regarding the American Dream?

He illustrates that the harsh realities of frontier life often lead to suffering and loss, contradicting the dream of opportunity.

How do multiple readings of American history complicate the notion of progress?

Different perspectives reveal that while some benefit from expansion, others experience harm, challenging the idea that progress is universally positive.